McDonald’s UK is ditching its plastic Happy Meal toys in favour of more sustainably produced alternatives in its stores.

In a move to reduce the firm’s plastic waste by more than 3000 tons, from May onwards the firm will phase out the playthings it provides with its children’s meals and instead offer books, stuffed items or paper-based toys.

Simultaneously, the restaurant chain will be collecting plastic toys back in its UK and Ireland restaurants to be recycled into play equipment for its children’s charities.

McDonald’s UK has already been providing books as an option with its Happy Meals for several years under its Happy Reader programme.

“We care passionately about the environment and are committed to reducing plastic across our business,” said McDonald’s UK marketing chief Gareth Helm. 

“Families have high expectations of us and we’re working as hard as we can to give them the confidence that their Happy Meal is as sustainable as possible.”